About Gather Around the Frame: A Celebration of Hand Quilting

Join us for a hands on stitching experience around replica historical quilting frames as enjoyed by previous generations as they sewed together.

This event will feature talks, film screenings, hands-on crafts and our very own quilting bee. All materials are provided.

Get hands-on stitching a quilt around a replica historical quilting frame as experienced by previous generations as they sewed together. Take time out in our stitch space or work together in our family craft corner. Through film screenings and panel discussions, hear from modern makers and experts who are passionate about quilting. Learn from them as they celebrate and share the history, heritage and skills of this rare craft.

Free drop-in activities

Quilting bee

Time: 10:15 - 16:15

Location: Grand Gallery

Join in around the quilting frame to enjoy traditional community stitching. Experts will lead each frame so you can find out more as you sew. No prior experience is required.

Stitch Space

Time: 10:15 - 16:15

Location: Learning Centre

Develop your skills and enjoy solo stitching in a quieter environment. Bring your own projects or use materials supplied.

Family Craft Corner

Time: 10:15 - 16:15

Location: Grand Gallery

Get together as a family to draw quilt patterns and try out basic stitching.

Quilting on film

Time: 11:00 - 16:00

Location: Seminar Room

Watch archival footage and view photography of historic community quilting.

Panel discussion: Reframing quilting in Scotland and beyond

Time: 15:00 – 16.30

Location: Auditorium

Booking: Free, booking required

Join our panel of experts to explore the vibrant social history and creative evolution of traditional frame quilting. On the panel will be Deb McGuire and Jess Bailey from Within the Frame alongside Helen Wyld, Senior Curator Historic Textiles National Museums Scotland.

A black and white photograph of a group of women sit around long tables quilting.

Book now

Contributors

'Within the Frame', Deborah McGuire and Dr Jess Bailey

'Within the Frame' is a research collaboration between Deborah McGuire and Dr Jess Bailey.

Deborah McGuire (@plainstitchdeb) is a historian and hand quilter currently completing her PhD on 18th–20th century British quilt history at London College of Fashion.

Dr Jess Bailey (@publiclibraryquilts), Lecturer for Premodern Art at the University of Edinburgh. Jess is an art historian and hand quilter currently researching gender and Medieval wholecloth quilts.

Helen Wyld

Helen Wyld is Senior Curator of Historic Textiles at National Museums Scotland. Helen is responsible for our European and Scottish textile collections and has research interests in Scottish pre-industrial textile production.

Dr Ailsa Hutton

Dr Ailsa Hutton is Curator of Modern and Rural History at National Museums Scotland. Ailsa is responsible for our working and rural life collections and has research interests in craft production in rural Scotland.

Accessibility and facilities

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

Visit our accessibility page for general access information for the National Museum of Scotland.

Partners

In association with the Centre for Recreation Research at The University of Edinburgh. This event is in partnership with Within the Frame. They recently helped to secure UNESCO Heritage Craft status for the endangered practice of Hand Quilting in a Frame with Rocking Stitch.